CDM 2015 – Principal Designer Duties
The Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) are intended to ensure that Health & Safety issues are fully considered during a project’s development, so that the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced.
In April 2015, new regulations for CDM came in to force, resulting in the CDM-Coordinator role being replaced by the Principal Designer during the pre-construction phase. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE)’s objectives behind the new regulation will mark a significant shift in the health and safety regime for procurement, design and delivery of construction projects.
Outlined below are some key changes to the role of the Principal Designer under CDM 2015 during the pre-construction phase. They include:
· Informing the client of their duties under the regulations.
· Providing pre-construction information to designers, principal contractor and contractors.
· Preparing a Health & Safety file and reviewing, updating and revising it as the project progresses.
· Liaison with Principal Contractor to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate the construction process.
· Ensuring designers have the sufficient skills, knowledge and experience to carry out the work.
· Ensuring designers comply with their duties and co-operate with each other.
· Assisting the client in identifying, obtaining and collating the pre-construction information.
Please click here to review the Health & Safety Executive’s ‘Managing Health & Safety in Construction’ manual for more information on the changes to CDM 2015.
If you would like to speak to us directly about the changes to the CDM regulations, please phone 0131 220 1828 and ask to speak to eitther David Kirkwood or Bob Jeffrey.